Minnesota Session Laws - 2006, Regular Session

CHAPTER 189--H.F.No. 1838

An act

relating to traffic regulations; authorizing operation of neighborhood electric vehicles on streets and highways;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 168.011, by adding a subdivision; 168A.05, by adding a subdivision; 169.01, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 168.011, subdivision 7; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 169.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 168.011, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Passenger automobile.

(a) "Passenger automobile" means any motor vehicle designed and used for carrying not more than 15 individuals, including the driver.

(b) "Passenger automobile" does not include motorcycles, motor scooters, buses, or school buses, or commuter vans as defined in section 168.126.

(c) "Passenger automobile" includes, but is not limited to:

(1) pickup trucks and vans, including those vans designed to carry passengers, with a manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity of one ton, but does not include commuter vans as defined in section 168.126.; and

(2) neighborhood electric vehicles as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 91.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 168.011, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 41.

Neighborhood electric vehicle.

"Neighborhood electric vehicle" has the meaning given in section 169.01, subdivision 91.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 168A.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 9.

Neighborhood electric vehicle; certificate required.

Neighborhood electric vehicles, as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 91, must be titled as specified in section 168A.02. The department shall not issue a title for a neighborhood electric vehicle (1) that lacks a vehicle identification number, and (2) for which a manufacturer's certificate of origin clearly labeling the vehicle as a neighborhood electric vehicle or similar designation has not been issued. The department shall not issue a vehicle identification number to a homemade neighborhood electric or low-speed vehicle or retrofitted golf cart, and such vehicles do not qualify as neighborhood electric vehicles.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 91.

Neighborhood electric vehicle.

"Neighborhood electric vehicle" means an electrically powered motor vehicle that has four wheels, and has a speed attainable in one mile of at least 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface.

Sec. 5.

[169.224] NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

Subdivision 1.

Definition.

For purposes of this section, "road authority" means the commissioner, as to trunk highways; the county board, as to county state-aid highways and county highways; the town board, as to town roads; and the governing body of a city, as to city streets.

Subd. 2.

Required equipment.

Notwithstanding any other law, a neighborhood electric vehicle may be operated on public streets and highways if it meets all equipment and vehicle safety requirements in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 571.500, and successor requirements.

Subd. 3.

Operation.

A neighborhood electric vehicle may not be operated on a street or highway with a speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour, except to make a direct crossing of that street or highway.

Subd. 4.

Restrictions and prohibitions.

(a) A road authority, including the commissioner of transportation by order, may prohibit or further restrict the operation of neighborhood electric vehicles on any street or highway under the road authority's jurisdiction.

(b) A neighborhood electric vehicle may not be used to take any examination to demonstrate ability to exercise control in the operation of a motor vehicle as required under section 171.13.

Presented to the governor May 2, 2006

Signed by the governor May 4, 2006, 2:25 p.m.